Lack of food and poor diet

When Foote first arrived in Charleston in late July the men were eating well, bacon and beef. It didn’t take much more than a week for the food and rations to fall short of the need of feeding such a large prison population in the city jail. Rations were “cut down” on August 7th. The next day (8th) Foote records, “One spoonful of lard & some worms. Bad rice issued today.” “Very small piece of strong bacon today (9th)”. By mid August the food conditions were abysmal, “We are now receiving the worst rations that we have had since I have been a prisoner, and are situated most uncomfortably in every way (Aug 14th).”

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About CWG

The Civil War Gazette (CWG) is published by Kraig McNutt, Director of The Center for the Study of the American Civil War. The CWG was first launched on to the World-wide Web in 1995.

The Civil War Gazette allows the first-hand participants - both common soldier and civilian - to tell the story of their experience of the Civil War from their perspective; through letters, diaries, newspapers articles, and other authentic first-hand accounts.

Many items posted to The Civil War Gazette often corresponds to the exact day the item was originally written during the Civil War. Think of The Civil War Gazette as the daily newspaper for all-things Civil War with accounts from those who experienced this great war as participants.

What can one find on the CWG?

Many original letters from soldiers, their loved ones, and excerpts from diaries and journals.

Excerpts and selections from period newspapers and popular print resources.

Poems and literary excerpts, many authored by the soldiers themselves.